Press Statement on campaign to create disaffection against Alan Kyerematen

REJOINDER: PRESS STATEMENT ON CAMPAIGN TO CREATE DISAFFECTION AGAINST ALAN JOHN KWADWO KYEREMATEN IN THE THREE NORTHERN REGIONS.

30TH SEPTEMBER 2014

My attention has been drawn to a press statement signed by Nana Ohene Ntow, Director of Communication of the Alan Kyerematen Campaign Team, alleging that Mr. Razak Awudulai and I have embarked on "vicious campaign to create disaffection in the three Northern Regions against Alan Kyerematen".

I would like to dismiss this allegation with contempt. I would also like to express my disappointment at attempts to use me as scapegoat for Mr. Alan's failure to win the forthcoming NPP's primaries. I am not a candidate in the primaries and any attempt to shift the campaign on me will not inure to the benefit of Mr. Alan Kyerematen.

I have never said the statements attributed to me. I have neither used President Kufuor's name nor Paul Afoko's to discredit Mr. Alan Kyerematen in favour of Nana Akufo-Addo. This is needless because Nana Akufo-Addo commands significant support in the Party and does not need such negative campaigns to win the primaries.

The Statement by Nana Ohene Ntow also attributed to me a statement "that Northern delegates should vote for Nana Addo because it is only when Nana Addo is the party’s candidate that Dr. Bawumia, a son of the North can become Vice President". This exposes the malice behind the press statement, as this is not the first time a son of the North will become Vice President. All Northerners and indeed, all Ghanaians know that the former Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama was a son of the North.

In his statement, Nana Ohene-Ntow also referred to Mr. Razak Awudulai, myself and others; and I am wondering why he did not mention the names of the others. This reduces his statement to a targeted campaign of vilification against us; which falls short of all decency in a civilized society. Additionally, Nana Ohene Ntow could not cite a single example of any constituency or occasion in the North where myself or Razak were said to have made these false statements.

For the avoidance of doubt, my support for Nana Akufo-Addo is based on my deep belief that he is the right man the Party needs at this crucial period; and there is no way such desperate moves by the Alan Team can dilute this support.

This is the second time the Alan Team has tried to draw my hard earned reputation into disrepute. A week ago, the same team accused me and others that Nana Akufo-Addo bought us. I would like to warn that I would not take kindly to any further action from the Alan Team aimed at soiling my name; and wish to assure them that I would take any necessary action to defend myself in future.

Finally, I call on Nana Ohene Ntow and the Alan Campaign Team to apologize to me unreservedly, to President Kufour and Paul Afoko for drawing our names into these needless negative campaigns.

Signed

Mohammed Amin Anta

Former Deputy Northern Regional Minister